Latest news with #NukartaaAndreassen
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Greenland is excited to welcome more tourists
Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: We're waiting for you. 'Come visit Greenland,' said Nukartaa Andreassen, who works for a water taxi company in the capital city, Nuuk. 'Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture.' The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. Locals want to show what makes the island unique beyond a recent diplomatic dust-up with United States President Donald Trump. 'Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland ... and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here,' said Casper Frank Moller, the chief executive of Nuuk-based tour guide company Raw Arctic. The tourism industry is expected to see a boom this year following the launch of a new route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey in the US. The inaugural flight on June 14 was the first direct travel from the US to Greenland by an American airline. Before the direct flight, air passengers departing from the US needed a layover in Iceland or Denmark to reach Greenland. The change benefited travellers like Doug Jenzen, an American tourist who was on the United Airlines plane from New Jersey. 'I came with the purpose of exploring some of the natural sites around the world's largest island, hoping to support things like ecotourism and sustainable travel while supporting the local economy,' Jenzen said. Cruise ships can already dock on the island but they bring less money to businesses catering to tourists because passengers sleep and usually eat on board. Some 150,000 tourists visited Greenland in 2024, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. 'We really want to grow the tourism sector. It's a very good fit for many in Greenland,' Nathanielsen added. 'Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, sharing history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage.' Kayaking is another activity that tourists can do in Nuuk. Greenland gained worldwide attention when Trump earlier this year announced he wanted to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, through a purchase or possibly by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the US gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic tension, Frank Moller of Raw Arctic sees an upside. 'It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage,' he said. Still, beefing up the tourism industry should happen at a pace that prioritises the voices and comfort levels of the roughly 56,000 people on the island, he added. Andreassen, of Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. 'It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland,' she said. 'It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries.' In June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old Turkish tourist, saw several whales breach the ocean surface during a boat tour. 'It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home,' she said. 'It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment.' Risskov Rejser has visited Greenland several times through her travel company for Danish travellers. But she is worried about the impact of a tourist invasion. 'For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum,' she said. 'It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are.' – AP Tourists can go on a puffin-watching tour in Greenland.
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: Come visit
By KWIYEON HA Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: We're waiting for you. 'Come visit Greenland,' said Nukartaa Andreassen, who works for a water taxi company in the capital city, Nuuk. 'Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture.' The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. Locals want to show what makes the island unique beyond a recent diplomatic dustup with U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland,' said Casper Frank Møller, the chief executive of Nuuk-based tour guide company Raw Arctic, 'and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here.' The tourism industry is expected to see a boom this year following the launch of a new route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight June 14 was the first direct travel from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline. Before the direct flight, air passengers departing from the U.S. needed a layover in Iceland or Denmark to reach Greenland. The change benefited travelers like Doug Jenzen, an American tourist who was on the United Airlines plane from New Jersey. 'I came with the purpose of exploring some of the natural sites around the world's largest island, hoping to support things like ecotourism and sustainable travel while supporting the local economy,' Jenzen said. Cruise ships can already dock on the island but they bring less money to businesses catering to tourists because passengers sleep and usually eat on board. Some 150,000 tourists visited Greenland in 2024, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. 'We really want to grow the tourism sector. It's a very good fit for many in Greenland,' Nathanielsen added. 'Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, sharing history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage.' Greenland gained worldwide attention when Trump earlier this year announced he wanted to take control of the semiautonomous Danish territory, through a purchase or possibly by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic tension, Frank Møller of Raw Arctic sees an upside. 'It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage,' he said. Still, beefing up the tourism industry should happen at a pace that prioritizes the voices and comfort levels of the roughly 56,000 people on the island, he added. Andreassen, of Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. 'It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland,' she said. 'It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries." In June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old Turkish tourist, saw several whales breach the ocean surface during a boat tour. 'It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home," she said. 'It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment.' Risskov Rejser has visited Greenland several times through her travel company for Danish travelers. But she is worried about the impact of a tourist invasion. 'For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum," she said. "It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are.' Stefanie Dazio in Berlin contributed to this report. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
One of world's most beautiful countries is begging tourists to come
The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. One of the world's most striking and least visited countries is bucking the anti-tourism trend. Greenland is extending an open invitation to globetrotters and sharing a warm message with eager adventurers across the globe: We're all set for your arrival. "Come visit Greenland," invites Nukartaa Andreassen, an employee at a water taxi service in Nuuk. "Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture." This island, rich in minerals and nestled in the Arctic, is embracing tourism with open arms. From whale-spotting odysseys to treks to the famed puffin island and guided tours of distant hamlets, Greenland is eager to exhibit its charms, hoping to shift focus away from past political squabbles, notably with Donald Trump. "Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland," declares Casper Frank Møller, CEO of Raw Arctic, a Nuuk-based tour operation. "and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here." Following the initiation of a newfangled flight path between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey, expectations are high for a surge in tourist interest this year. The first-ever direct link from the United States to Greenland via an American carrier launched with fanfare on June 14. Previously, U.S. voyagers had to stopover in Iceland or Denmark before continuing their journey to Greenland. This development has simplified travel significantly, much to the delight of travellers like Doug Jenzen, who was among the inaugural passengers on the United Airlines flight departing from New Jersey. "I arrived with the intention of exploring some of the natural wonders on the world's largest island, aiming to promote ecotourism and sustainable travel while bolstering the local economy," stated Jenzen. Cruise ships are already able to dock on the island, but they contribute less to businesses catering to tourists as passengers typically eat and sleep onboard. In 2024, Greenland welcomed around 150,000 tourists, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. "We're keen to expand the tourism sector. It's a great fit for many in Greenland," added Nathanielsen. "Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage." Earlier this year, Greenland found itself in the global spotlight when Trump announced his desire to gain control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, either through purchase or potentially by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, along with Greenland, have firmly stated that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic strain, Frank Møller of Raw Arctic sees a silver lining. "It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage," he said. However, he emphasised that any expansion of the tourism industry should occur at a pace that respects the voices and comfort levels of the approximately 56,000 residents on the island. Andreassen, from Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. "It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland," she remarked. "It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries." During a boat trip in June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old holidaymaker from Turkey, was thrilled to observe several whales leaping out of the sea. "It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home," she exclaimed. "It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment." Risskov Rejser has been organising jaunts to Greenland for Danish globetrotters via her travel agency. Nevertheless, she harbours concerns over the effects of a deluge of tourists. "For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum," she stated. "It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are."
01-07-2025
- Business
Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: Come visit
NUUK, Greenland -- NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: We're waiting for you. 'Come visit Greenland,' said Nukartaa Andreassen, who works for a water taxi company in the capital city, Nuuk. 'Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture.' The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. Locals want to show what makes the island unique beyond a recent diplomatic dustup with U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland,' said Casper Frank Møller, the chief executive of Nuuk-based tour guide company Raw Arctic, 'and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here.' The tourism industry is expected to see a boom this year following the launch of a new route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight June 14 was the first direct travel from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline. Before the direct flight, air passengers departing from the U.S. needed a layover in Iceland or Denmark to reach Greenland. The change benefited travelers like Doug Jenzen, an American tourist who was on the United Airlines plane from New Jersey. 'I came with the purpose of exploring some of the natural sites around the world's largest island, hoping to support things like ecotourism and sustainable travel while supporting the local economy,' Jenzen said. Cruise ships can already dock on the island but they bring less money to businesses catering to tourists because passengers sleep and usually eat on board. Some 150,000 tourists visited Greenland in 2024, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. 'We really want to grow the tourism sector. It's a very good fit for many in Greenland,' Nathanielsen added. 'Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, sharing history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage.' Greenland gained worldwide attention when Trump earlier this year announced he wanted to take control of the semiautonomous Danish territory, through a purchase or possibly by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic tension, Frank Møller of Raw Arctic sees an upside. 'It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage,' he said. Still, beefing up the tourism industry should happen at a pace that prioritizes the voices and comfort levels of the roughly 56,000 people on the island, he added. Andreassen, of Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. 'It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland,' she said. 'It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries." In June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old Turkish tourist, saw several whales breach the ocean surface during a boat tour. 'It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home," she said. 'It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment.' Risskov Rejser has visited Greenland several times through her travel company for Danish travelers. But she is worried about the impact of a tourist invasion. 'For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum," she said. "It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are.'
The Mainichi
01-07-2025
- The Mainichi
Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: Come visit
NUUK, Greenland (AP) -- Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: We're waiting for you. "Come visit Greenland," said Nukartaa Andreassen, who works for a water taxi company in the capital city, Nuuk. "Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture." The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. Locals want to show what makes the island unique beyond a recent diplomatic dustup with U.S. President Donald Trump. "Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland," said Casper Frank Moller, the chief executive of Nuuk-based tour guide company Raw Arctic, "and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here." The tourism industry is expected to see a boom this year following the launch of a new route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight June 14 was the first direct travel from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline. Traveling to Greenland Before the direct flight, air passengers departing from the U.S. needed a layover in Iceland or Denmark to reach Greenland. The change benefited travelers like Doug Jenzen, an American tourist who was on the United Airlines plane from New Jersey. "I came with the purpose of exploring some of the natural sites around the world's largest island, hoping to support things like ecotourism and sustainable travel while supporting the local economy," Jenzen said. Cruise ships can already dock on the island but they bring less money to businesses catering to tourists because passengers sleep and usually eat on board. Some 150,000 tourists visited Greenland in 2024, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. "We really want to grow the tourism sector. It's a very good fit for many in Greenland," Nathanielsen added. "Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, sharing history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage." The Trump effect Greenland gained worldwide attention when Trump earlier this year announced he wanted to take control of the semiautonomous Danish territory, through a purchase or possibly by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic tension, Frank Moller of Raw Arctic sees an upside. "It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage," he said. Still, beefing up the tourism industry should happen at a pace that prioritizes the voices and comfort levels of the roughly 56,000 people on the island, he added. Andreassen, of Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. "It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland," she said. "It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries." 'Unforgettable moment' In June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old Turkish tourist, saw several whales breach the ocean surface during a boat tour. "It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home," she said. "It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment." Risskov Rejser has visited Greenland several times through her travel company for Danish travelers. But she is worried about the impact of a tourist invasion. "For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum," she said. "It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are."
